Texas lawmaker hit by celebratory fire wants to regulate joyshots on New Years

Brett Barrouquere

Published 11:04 am, Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Photo: Getty

Image 1of/18

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 18

Got a new gun for Christmas and want to fire it on New Years?

Firing celebratory gunshots on New Year's Eve is a tradition in some places. But, one Texas lawmaker is proposing regulating the practice more tightly. Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco, is floating the idea of tighter regulation after being struck in the head in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2017. Martinez is out of the hospital. Click through the gallery to see how Texas gun laws have changed over the years.

: 2003Legislative session: 78thDetails: Texans over the age of 60 have a 50 percent reduced licence renewal fee.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Year passed

: 2003Legislative session: 78thDetails: Texans over the age of 60 have a 50 percent reduced licence renewal fee.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Image 9 of 18 |
House Bill 284

Year passed

: 2003Legislative session: 78thDetails: Texans can own a handgun in their RV or trailer without a handgun license.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Year passed

: 2003Legislative session: 78thDetails: Texans can own a handgun in their RV or trailer without a handgun license.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Photo: EyesWideOpen/Getty Images

Image 10 of 18 |
House Bill 322

Year passed

: 2005Legislative session: 79thDetails: Allows military personnel under the age of 21 to have a concealed carry license.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Year passed

: 2005Legislative session: 79thDetails: Allows military personnel under the age of 21 to have a concealed carry license.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Photo: MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images

Image 11 of 18 |
House Bill 1815

Year passed

: 2007Legislative session: 80thDetails: Allows Texans to have a gun in their vehicle without a license, as long as it is out of sight.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Year passed

: 2007Legislative session: 80thDetails: Allows Texans to have a gun in their vehicle without a license, as long as it is out of sight.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Photo: The Washington Post/Washington Post/Getty Images

Image 12 of 18 |
Senate Bill 378

Year passed

: 2007Legislative session: 80thDetails: Implemented the castle doctrine, or the right for Texans to use deadly force to defend themselves in a place they legally occupy.Source: Texas State Rifle Association

Martinez isn't yet sure what the legislation would look like. He spent the time immediately after being shot in the head at Valley Baptist Medical Center. He's since been released.

But, Martinez told The Texas Tribune that any legislation would definitely involve celebratory gunfire and that he would talk with sheriffs and prosecutors about ideas on how to handle the problem.

Some states, including Texas, have penalties for injuring someone with joy shots in the air. It's a misdemeanor carrying a $4,000 fine and a year in jail if caught and convicted. Killing someone opens up a shooter to more serious charges.